Karnataka selects 205 gram panchayats for high-speed internet under Samruddhi project

Rural Development Minister Priyank Kharge announces the Samruddhi Gram Panchayat Project to deliver optical fibre internet, digital services, and economic opportunities to villages.

Karnataka is taking a major step toward bridging the rural digital divide with the rollout of the Samruddhi Gram Panchayat Project (SGPP). Rural Development and Panchayat Raj Minister Priyank Kharge on Tuesday announced that 205 gram panchayats across the state have been chosen in the first phase of the initiative.

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The project will provide high-speed broadband connectivity through optical fibre cables (OFCs), enabling villages to benefit from a robust telecom-based digital infrastructure. According to Kharge, this will not only ensure smoother delivery of government services but also open up new economic and livelihood opportunities in underserved regions.

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To make sure the scheme delivers on its promise, the government will set up Digital Access Committees in each of the selected gram panchayats. These panels will consist of technical experts, local representatives, and members of Panchayat Raj Institutions. Their primary mandate will be to create awareness about the benefits of broadband access, ensure its effective usage, and monitor grassroots-level implementation.

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Kharge emphasized that the SGPP represents a long-term push toward digital inclusion and rural empowerment, making villages future-ready by connecting them to the same high-speed services enjoyed in urban areas.

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